Archangel’s Heart by Nalini Singh – Dual Review & Giveaway

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Description:
One of the most vicious archangels in the world has disappeared. No one knows if Lijuan is dead or has chosen to Sleep the long sleep of an immortal. But with her lands falling into chaos under a rising tide of vampiric bloodlust, a mysterious and ancient order of angels known as the Luminata calls the entire Cadre together to discuss the fate of her territory.

Accompanying her archangelic lover Raphael to the Luminata compound, guild hunter-turned-angel Elena senses that all is not as it seems. Secrets echo from within the stone walls of the compound, and the deeper Elena goes, the uglier the darkness. But neither Raphael nor Elena is ready for the brutal truths hidden within—truths that will change everything Elena thinks she knows about who she is…

Nothing will ever be the same again

Barb’s Review:

Archangel’s Heart by Nalini Singh is the 9^th book in her wonderful Guild Hunter series. I loved this book, but no surprise, as Elena and Raphael were the focus of this story.  I always love anything about them, as they are a fantastic couple. 

In Archangel’s Heart, all the members of the Cadre (ruling Archangels) are summoned by the Luminata, an ancient group of angels, to a meeting they cannot refuse.  As we already know, Lijuan, one of the most powerful archangels, is either missing or dead.  The meeting in Morocco will force the Cadre to determine the fate of Lijuan and her territory.

Raphael and Elena with Aodhan for support head for Lumina.  Elena knows that the Luminata have stored records that cover just about everything from the beginning of time, and she is determined to use her free time to learn the truth about her family.   Raphael, Elena and Aodhan can tell from their arrival that things are not as they seem; something isn’t right.  What follows is an exciting story filled with details that flawlessly continue the world building that Nalini is a master at. 

It was fun to see all the Archangel’s together again in one place, as they try to decide how to handle Lijuan’s title, and determine if she is dead or alive. They know the situation could be volatile,  if they have to battle a crazed, but ultra powerful ancient archangel.  I also enjoyed seeing more of Aodhan, and watching him become more confident in bringing himself to be more visible again.  There is so much more we can learn about Aodhan, and I look forward to the time he will have his own book. 

While the Archangel’s meet, Elena and Aodhan visited the huge multilevel library of records.  Elena will begin to learn a little, until she senses that something bad is hidden deep in the dungeons of the library.  Elena is also not comfortable around the Luminata leader, who seems to be enamored by her.  As the hidden secrets of Luminata are revealed, the danger escalates, revealing terrible truths.  To tell too much more would be spoilers.  All I will say is that Nalini Singh has once again given us a wonderful addition to this fantastic series.  I could not put the book down, with the last half of the book totally mesmerizing me.  Needless to say, Nalini always continues to wow me with every book in both of her super fantastic series.  If you have not read this series or anything by Nalini Singh, you are missing one of the best authors in the literary world that never fail to give you fantastic continued world-building,  exciting, great characters &  sexy stories. 

 

Sandy’s Review:

ARCHANGEL’S HEART is the ninth full-length installment in Nalini Singh’s contemporary, adult GUILD HUNTER dystopian/UF/paranormal series focusing on Archangel’s, angels, vampires, shifters and hunters. This is Archangel Raphael, and his consort Elena’s continuing story with a little bit of Aodhan aka Sparkle thrown in for some good measure. ARCHANGEL’S HEART can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for background and cohesion as many events in the current time line are as of a direct result of previous happenings and premises.

Told from third person perspective ARCHANGEL’S HEART follows Elena and Raphael as they journey to Morocco, Elena’s maternal grandmother’s homeland. The Luminata have called a meeting of the Cadre of Ten-the most powerful Archangels in order to make a decision about Lijuan’s lands. With the vampiric blood lust increasing, and villages destroyed by the marauding vampires, Lijuan’s lands must come under control. As the Cascade approaches (an apocalypse of sorts that will see the Archangels at war and the destruction of mankind), and Lijuan all but dead or chosen Sleep, the Luminata have demanded something be done. But not all is well in the Luminata stronghold, and something evil lurks within the walls and the hierarchy of controlling angels. Secrets, lies, betrayals and revenge haunt the halls and hidden rooms of the Luminata.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Aodhan aka Sparkle who accompanies our leading couple as Elena’s guard. Aodhan and Illium aka Bluebell have had a falling out, and their friendship struggles as Illium worries about the once-broken man. The action is limited; there are no wars or mid-air fights but we do see the tense negotiations between the Cadre of Ten, and learn a little bit about the tempestuous relationship between the Archangels in charge.

ARCHANGEL’S HEART reveals our heroine’s family history- Morocco holds the secrets to Elena’s past-a past that is haunted by hatred and betrayal. Elena and Raphael’s relationship continues to build-their love for one another an unbreakable bond. The premise is wondrous and enchanting; the characters are spirited, energetic and charismatic; the romance continues to blossom and build-Raphael and Elena’s love is passionate and intense- our heroine is strong and resilient as Raphael’s consort. Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series is a wonderful and breathtaking look at the power of the Archangels and the people they rule.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

 

Raphael’s response was silent, his wing brushing hers as he . . .

“Raphael!” The damn archangel had dusted her.

Glittering, sparkly stuff stuck to her, delicious beyond compare when she parted her mouth and it licked onto her tongue. Her thighs clenched. “This is not funny!” She glared at him even as arousal flooded her system, but he was laughing too hard to care.

Her heart, it just stopped.

Even now, the Archangel of New York rarely laughed and never like this. Until she could see the youth he must’ve once been, with eyes of a wild, astonishing blue that asked a woman to laugh with him. She’d never before seen him as truly young. How could she? He had so much power that it pulsed in his every touch, burned in his skin.

Hauling him close to her with her hands fisted in the cream linen of his shirt, she took a kiss, took him. He sank into her, his wings sweeping up to wrap around her until all she could sense was Raphael, all she could taste was him. And angel dust. The special blend he’d created just for her.

He pushed one hand into her hair, fisting it as he wrapped his other arm around her waist and backed her up against a wall. Something fell with a dull thud. Maybe the vivid painting of wildflowers that had just been put up, all the art having been taken down during the repainting.

Elena loved that simple piece Honor had found in a thrift shop, but right now, it could’ve been a priceless artwork by the Hummingbird and she wouldn’t have cared. She was far too happy to be pressed up against the hard warmth of her archangel tip to toe after spending the previous night on watch. No time for shenanigans with Dmitri away and Illium off-shift, Aodhan assigned to patrol the sea border, and Raphael dealing with the overall security situation.

She’d flown a proper defense grid, both to stay in practice and because none of them could afford to be blasé with the Cascade an unpredictable foe that could unleash itself at any moment, smashing the world back into chaos and, possibly, war.

Today, however, the others were on‑shift and she could kiss her lover. He burned hot, Raphael, but he was a crashing sea in her mind, a tumultuous, passionate storm that swept her up and thundered through her veins.

We can talk to Dmitri later, she sent to Raphael, sliding her hands up the ridges and valleys of his chest. Let’s go upstairs to our suite.

“A‑hem.”

She tried to ignore that pointed cough that held a biting amusement.

Raphael’s lips smiled against hers. I think my second has other ideas.

 

 

Nalini Singh is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling, Guild Hunter, and Rock Kiss series. She lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing.

If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts and free short stories on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. The Rock Kiss books are all stand alone and can be read in any order.

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